Expert: Skip Bollinger - 9/19/2006

Question
i have a 1988 volkswagon fox GL the engine stalls while idling, engine stalls while driving, vehicle starts but will not stay running what is wrong with my car?

Answer
Mitchell,
  Wow,,, this is like calling the Dr. and saying "My elbow hurts, what is wrong?" It could be bruised, cracked or broken. I'm not trying to be evasive, just honest. There are a lot of conditions that could cause this problem. It could be the Computer, Mass Air Flow sensor, Oxygen sensor, Idle Air Control Valve, Throttle Position sensor, EGR Valve, EGR Valve Position sensor and so on.
  In this day of severe competition between parts stores, some have Scanners available for the general public. This is where you should begin. When a part begins to fail, it sends an SOS ("Code" as it is called in Automotive) to the computer. This Code is stored. When you scan the computer, it will tell you about this Code. NOW PLEASE NOTE, IF the computer senses a Code from the Oxygen sensor, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE OXYGEN SENSOR IS BAD. Chances are good that it is but it could be a burnt wire not letting the Oxygen sensor do it's job. Does that make sense to you?? The computer only knows what it is being told. It can't pin down the exact cause of the Code.
  I don't know where in the country you are but I know O'Reilly, Advance and Auto Zone offer the Code reader. I'm not sure if they have one that will read Codes from a Volkswagon but is worth a shot. It should get you closer than where you are right now.
  In closing, I'm sorry I couldn't have given you a better answer. I'm a parts specialist, NOT A TECH. I don't work on cars but have been pushing parts 32 years. I have learned a litte from my customers. I hope this helped.
Skip